Mendota offers urban amenities amidst vast farmland
Representing a swath of western Fresno County, Mendota is a city flush with industry — particularly a deep-rooted agricultural enterprise. That agricultural background, and its related employment opportunities, has been one of the main draws for those who choose the quaint city as a place to live. In fact, Mendota has a reputation of being the “Cantaloupe Center of the World,” though that distinction has been dimmed by persistent drought conditions in recent years. However, other prominent crops in Mendota include pistachios, almonds and tomatoes. Mendota’s farmland dominates the city’s outskirts, with fields stretching for acres upon acres. Meanwhile, most of Mendota’s housing and other amenities are situated in the middle of the locale.
A housing market dominated by ranch-style builds
The homes of Mendota largely span those that were built in the mid-20th century to those that were built recently. Ranch-style homes are common around the city. Home prices in the city mostly sit in the $200,000 to $300,000 range. At least a small bit of lawn space is common for Mendota’s properties, as are sidewalks linking Mendota’s grid network of blocks. The city maintains an intimate nature, which appeals to residents. Grecia Gallegos, an administrative assistant with the City of Mendota, said she likes the area’s “home-like feel. That it’s a small community.”
Education through the Mendota Unified School District
Mendota Continuation High School and Mendota Community Day School share a campus and are two of multiple institutions around the city. Both are alternative schools, and campus offerings include career and technical education opportunities and collegiate instruction through West Hills College. Neighboring each other on Belmont Avenue, to the south, are Mendota Junior High School and Mendota High School. Mendota Junior High students have registered high marks in their progress toward English proficiency, according to California Department of Education’s annual dashboard metrics. Mendota High is one of a handful of high schools in the lower San Joaquin Valley that offers the Wonderful Agriculture Career Prep program, or Ag Prep for short. Ag Prep helps prepare students for high-tech positions in the agricultural industry, including instruction from collegiate professors and some 40 to 60 free college credits.
Two main recreation spaces with public facilities and events
There are a pair of expansive neighboring parks in Mendota: Rojas Pierce Park and Jess Gill Park. Rojas Pierce Park is packed with a splash pad, a skatepark and a soccer field complex. Jess Gill Park is filled with more athletic field space. Aside from the amenities, though, the parks are home to multiple city events over the course of the year — particularly Rojas Piece Park. From June to December, you can peruse a farmers market at Rojas Pierce. There’s also an annual Earth Day gathering there, and periodic movie nights as well.
Shopping options and restaurants off major avenues
Belmont Avenue intersects with both Derrick Avenue and Oller Street, which are two of the main thoroughfares in Mendota, lined with restaurants and other businesses. Head to Cabañas Restaurant on Oller Street for standout pupusas. Or, if you’re craving a burger and a milkshake, journey up the road to Star Burger — their flavorful banana milkshake is a standout. You could also satisfy your sweet tooth at Mendota Donuts, on Derrick Avenue, known for the freshness of its daily batches. Grocery shopping can be taken care of just south of Mendota Donuts, at Mendota Food Center.
